KIRBY, Wyo. — Citizens of a small town in Wyoming are locking their doors and refusing to leave as a creature with a 22-foot wingspan stalks the skies. Residents first reported sightings of the Cretaceous-era creature pteranodon yesterday. Today, not only do the reports persist, but they claim the creature is beginning to attack anyone walking the streets of Kirby.

Though the flying reptile’s diet is known to have existed of mostly fish, the creature is reported to be aggressively pecking people and even lifting some off to an unknown location. It is thought that the beast has a nest somewhere within the higher elevations of Kirby.

Scientists are baffled as to how a creature that lived nearly 65 million years ago has made a return to terrorize the town’s inhabitants. So far, theories range from an escaped lab project to a preserved family of pterosaurs that has lived on in the caves of Wyoming. While they try to center on the why, scientists are also focusing on the how — particularly, how to catch the creature.

The beast is known for its long, toothless beak, as well as a crested skull. The size of this particular animal’s skull has led scientists to believe that it is a male. Nicknamed “Wingy,” the pteranodon may or may not be acquiring food for younger members of its family, as he is the sole creature confirmed to exist. Citizens of Kirby are encouraged to keep all animals within their homes and stables, and are asked to not try to engage the animal in battle.